Mú: It’s Portuguese for “Moo”

August 3, 2016

Summer is well and truly here for most places in the northern hemisphere. It’s certainly been unbearably hot in Portugal, with temperatures in the Alentejo – the hottest part of Portugal – reaching the 40 C (104 F). And as we all know, the best way to keep cool is to enjoy some ice cream. So I went to Mú.

Cream flavor gelato

Pistachio flavor gelato

My sister took us there (she seems to know all the cool places to go to in Lisbon). I went to a tiny Mú in the Príncipe Real part of Lisbon, although there’s at least one other location that’s much bigger, with seating. Though small, this place was inviting. The guy behind the counter (or, as I like to call him, the ice cream guardian) was kind enough to let us sample a couple of flavors before we made our decision. And if ice cream weren’t tempting enough, I spotted homemade cookies and Kusmi teas… this place knows my weaknesses.

Yes, please!

Tea decisions…

These artisanal gelatos and sorbets come in a variety of flavors, but the fruit ones tend to be whatever is in season. I was tempted to try the fig flavor, but I saw pistachio, which is one of my all-time favorites and couldn’t resist. It wasn’t the usual green color you expect, but that’s because they don’t have artificial colors to their ice cream. (Now I’ll question every pistachio ice cream in my future by its color.) Green or beige, it didn’t matter: it was damn good gelato! Subtle and smooth. I didn’t try the sorbets, but now I have an excuse to go back again… aside from “I want ice cream”.